Johanna Grawunder is an American artist and designer known for her innovative use of light and colour in her works. She was born in 1961 in San Diego, California.
Education
Johanna Grawunder studied architecture at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and later pursued a Master of Fine Arts degree at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. In both institutions, she honed her distinctive style, which blends architecture with artistic lighting.
Biography
Grawunder’s artistic practice explores the boundaries between art, design, and architecture. She is known for using neon and LED lights to create vibrant and immersive installations. Her works often incorporate geometric forms and clean lines, playing with light and space to create visually stunning experiences. Johanna Grawunder’s signature style is evident in all her pieces.
Exhibitions
Grawunder has exhibited her work internationally in renowned institutions and galleries. She has also collaborated with various architects and designers on projects ranging from public installations to lighting design for commercial spaces. Her designs have been featured in numerous publications, showcasing her unique approach to combining light, colour, and space. Indeed, the exhibitions of Johanna Grawunder have been celebrated worldwide.
Grawunder’s work has been exhibited globally and is part of several prestigious museum collections, including:
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
- Art Institute of Chicago
- High Museum of Art, Atlanta
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Johanna Grawunder has taught at prestigious institutions such as the Architectural Association in London and the Domus Academy in Milan, where she has shared her knowledge and expertise with emerging artists and designers. Her teaching and work have made Johanna Grawunder a respected name in the field.
Architectural Collaborations with Ettore Sottsass
During her tenure at Sottsass Associati, Grawunder co-designed several notable architectural projects:
- Casa Wolf (1987–1989): A residence in Ridgway, Colorado, USA.
- Esprit House (1987–1988): Located in Wels, Austria, co-designed with Marco Zanini.
- Mayer Schwartz Gallery (1988–1989): An art gallery in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, USA.
- Casa Olabuenaga (1989): A private residence in Maui, Hawaii, USA.
- Bruno Bischofberger House (1991–1996): Situated in Zurich, Switzerland.
- Zhaoqing Golf Club and Resort (1994–1996): A resort in Zhaoqing, China, co-designed with Federica Barbiero.
- Mourmans House (1995–2002): Located in Lanaken, Belgium.
Interior Design Projects
Grawunder’s interior design portfolio includes:
- GIPI, Panepinto Showroom (2002): A showroom in Milan, Italy.
- Beach House (2003–2004): A residential project in Milan, Italy.
- Casa Enzo Cucchi (2006–2007): Located in Siracusa, Italy.
- HK House (2006–2009): A residence in Hong Kong.
- Casa Rossella (2012–2013): Situated in Rome, Italy.
- Casa Côte d’Azur (2015): A project in Monte-Carlo, Monaco.
Industrial Design Contributions
In the realm of industrial design, Grawunder has created:
- Crack (2014): A design for Glasitalia.
- Boxy (2011): A piece for Glasitalia.
- Colour on Colour (2010): A design exploring layered hues.
- XXX (2009): Another collaboration with Glasitalia.
- WAN (2005): A lighting fixture designed for Flos.
- Wedge: A design for Boffi.
- Sunset & Swimming Pool: Creations for B&B.
- Jazz Collection (2000–2003): Tableware designed for Mikasa.
Installations and Commissions
Grawunder’s notable installations and commissions include:
- Daring the Gap (2001): A collaboration with Konstantin Grcic and Timo Salli in Cologne, Germany.
- Motocross (2006–2007): A streetscape project in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo, Japan.
- Robert Restaurant (2010): Located in the Museum of Arts and Design, New York, USA.
- The Singapore Freeport (2010): A project in Singapore.
- Fendi “Un Art Autre” (2013): Installations in Tokyo and Beijing.
- 5 W’s (2013): A project in San Francisco, USA.
- Freeport Luxembourg (2014): Located in Luxembourg.
- Fendi Miami (2015): A project in Miami, USA.
- Lucepiatti (2015): An installation in Geneva, Switzerland.
Limited Editions and Unique Pieces
Her limited-edition works and unique pieces feature:
- Many Small Works (1995): Exhibited at The Gallery Mourmans.
- Superluminal: A collaboration between Design Gallery Milano and The Gallery Mourmans.
- Air Conditioning (1995): Presented at Design Gallery Milano.
- Abyss (2003): A collection for Salviati.
- Mémoires de Chine (1996): Showcased at Mourmans Gallery.
- Lighting Management (1997): Displayed at Post Design Gallery, Milan.
- Fractals (1999): Another exhibition at Post Design Gallery, Milan.
- Lowrider (2001): Featured at Post Design Gallery, Milan.
- Masks (2002): Presented at Gallery Roberto Giustini.
- In The Desert (2003): An exhibition at Design Gallery Milano.
- Arielle (2004): Showcased at Galerie Italienne, Paris.
- Street Glow (2005): Another presentation at Galerie Italienne, Paris.
- New Positions (2006): Exhibited at Gallery Roberto Giustini.
- Sakura (2007): Displayed at Roberto
Sources
Johanna Grawunder. (2024, November 23). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johanna_Grawunder
OpenAI. (2021). ChatGPT [Computer software]. Retrieved from https://openai.com
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